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Carbohydrates

In a similar way to protein being made up of amino acids, carbohydrates consist building blocks called ‘saccharides’or ‘sugars’. Glucose, a common example of the simplest type of sugar, is a monosaccharide, together with fructose, found in fruit. Two monosaccharides joined together are called disaccharides, the most common being sucrose or ‘white cane sugar’ as we know it. Another example is lactose, found in milk. When large numbers of saccharides are joined together, they form polysaccharides, and are found the foods we commonly think of as ‘carbohydrates’, e.g. bread, potatoes and pasta.

Dietary fibre belongs to the carbohydrate group but is not digestible. Fibre has important roles in helping you feel full after a meal, in adding bulk to stools and preventing constipation and generally for gut health. Fibre is only found in plant based foods such as wholegrains, lentils and fruit and vegetables.

Why are carbohydrates so important?

Carbohydrates are the main providers of energy in our diet. Every body cell, including the brain, requires a constant supply of glucose as fuel, most of which is provided by the carbohydrates in food and drink.

Which foods contain carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates and Glycaemic Index (GI)

A food’sglycaemic index indicates the rate at which the carbohydrate in that food is digested by the body. In high GI foods, carbohydrate is digested and absorbed into the blood quickly, causing your blood glucose (sugar) level to rise rapidly. In low GI foods, carbohydrate is digested slowly resulting in a more gradual rise in blood glucose levels.

How much carbohydrate do we need?

The Ministry of Health recommends 50-55% of an adult’s energy intake comes from carbohydrates, but less than half of adult Kiwis achieve this recommendation. Eating at least 6 servings of bread and cereals (preferably wholegrain i.e. not refined) and 5 servings of fruit and vegetables each day will help you reach the recommended level. Read our healthy eating for all agessection for information on your age group.

Can carbohydrates help with weight loss?

For those wanting to lose weight, low GI foods as part of a balanced diet may be helpful. The carbohydrate in low GI foods is digested slowly, making you feel fuller for longer. Fad diets which reduce the intake of carbohydrates claim rapid weight loss, but such losses are unlikely to be maintained long term.

Tips

Include carbohydrate-containing foods, such as bread, pasta or rice, at every meal, to provide a constant source of energy